Kato 106-5507 N Scale Autorack Amtrak Phase III 4-Car Set #1

Specific Item Information: Road Numbers: 9100, 9109, 9114, 9115 Model Information: Kato introduced this model in 2014. It is only available in 4-packs. with 4 different road numbers in each. It is a fairly simple model with truck-mounted couplers (really!), chemically blackened wheels and not much else. It has a lot of interesting fine detail printing on it but not much else makes it special other than you have to own at least one pack if you are going to model Amtrak on the US East coast. These cars have a modern (2004+) appearance matching the Amtrak body style (CP and CN versions will use finely printed detail to replicate the perforations along the side of the body). Prototype Description: The Autorack (or "Auto Carrier") is a piece of railroad rolling stock built for a specific purpose - to transport cars. Commonly used to transport cars from the manufacturer to larger automotive distributors (before they're loaded onto the semis that are commonly seen on highways), they are also used on services such as Amtrak's Auto Train - a special train which operates between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL in which passengers can load their cars aboard any one of the 20-30 trailing Autorack cars and enjoy a luxurious ride down the United States' east coast, the end of which they can take their car with them for the continuation of their journey. This particular type of Autorack is quite modern - first introduced in 2004 in Canada, this fully enclosed autorack is built with an Aluminum shell that is more weather resistant than the older style "open" or "grated" Autorack cars, and with a roomier interior and smoother ride that better protects the cars within.